Background and Appointment:
Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, was appointed as governor over the remnant of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, following the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. His appointment is recorded in 2 Kings 25:22-26 and Jeremiah 40:5-16. Gedaliah's family had a history of loyalty to the prophetic word and support for Jeremiah, as his father Ahikam had protected Jeremiah from death (Jeremiah 26:24).

Governance and Policies:
Gedaliah established his administration in Mizpah, a strategic location north of Jerusalem. His governance was marked by efforts to stabilize the region and encourage the remaining Judeans to live peacefully under Babylonian rule. He assured the people of safety and prosperity if they submitted to Babylon, as recorded in Jeremiah 40:9-10: "Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath before them and their men, saying, 'Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.'"

Gathering of the Remnant:
Under Gedaliah's leadership, many Jews who had fled to surrounding nations during the Babylonian conquest returned to Judah. They gathered at Mizpah, bringing with them the produce of the land, as noted in Jeremiah 40:12: "So all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been scattered and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered an abundance of wine and summer fruit."

Assassination and Aftermath:
Despite his efforts to promote peace and stability, Gedaliah's tenure was short-lived. He was warned by Johanan, son of Kareah, about a plot against his life by Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who was of royal blood and possibly motivated by political ambition or allegiance to the Ammonites (Jeremiah 40:13-14). Gedaliah, however, dismissed the warning, demonstrating either a trusting nature or a commitment to reconciliation.

Tragically, Gedaliah was assassinated by Ishmael during a meal at Mizpah, as described in Jeremiah 41:2-3: "Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and killed the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land." This act of treachery led to further chaos and fear among the people, resulting in many fleeing to Egypt to escape Babylonian retribution.

Significance:
Gedaliah's governorship represents a critical moment in Judah's history, highlighting the challenges of leadership in a time of foreign domination and internal strife. His assassination marked the end of organized Jewish governance in the land until the return from exile. The events surrounding Gedaliah's rule are commemorated in Jewish tradition with the Fast of Gedaliah, observed on the third day of Tishrei, as a day of mourning for the loss of Jewish autonomy and the further dispersion of the people.